One year since historic decision, Georgia proud of visa-free travel with EU
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Almost a year ago, visa-free travel regulations for Georgian citizens traveling to the European Union (EU) went into force.
Welcoming the special anniversary at a government session this morning, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said this is one of the country’s greatest achievements.
This is what Tbilisi International Airport looked like last year in celebration of the EU visa waiver for Georgian citizens. Photo by N. Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Kvirikashvili said this historic decision would not have been possible without the consistent steps made by the government of Georgia, but it has also depended on the European choice of the Georgian people.
This is why we are all so proud today. Georgia has made it possible for its citizens to freely travel across the EU/Schengen Zone. This is not only a visa-free travel opportunity, but it is also a huge political step from the EU and our partners towards Georgia and an expression of trust”, Kvirikashvili said.
Thanking everyone who has contributed to the visa liberalization process, PM Kvirikashvili said the government of Georgia is taking responsible steps to avoid any violations of the visa-free regulations.
Visa-free travel celebrations on Agmashenebeli Ave in Tbilisi on March 26, 2017. Photo by N. Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
The regulation lifting visa requirements for Georgians entered into effect on March 28, 2017.
Georgian citizens holding biometric passports can travel to the EU’s Schengen Zone for a period of 90 days within any 180-day period for purposes other than working.
Earlier this month the government of Georgia announced changes to the law that will introduce tougher sanctions against Georgian citizens violating the Georgia-EU visa-free travel agreement.
To help Georgian citizens calculate their days in the Schengen Zone and avoid the violation of the terms of legal stay, an application called Schengen/EU App has also been created.
President of the European Council Donald Tusk said today is a special day as visa free regime for Georgian citizens to the European Union (EU) has entered into force.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras hosted his Georgian counterpart Giorgi Kvirikashvili, stating it was an honour for him that Greece had been chosen as his first visa-free destination.
Today is a day Georgians have awaited for years. A number of international leaders have taken to Twitter to share their happiness for Georgia. Some of them even issued a congratulatory video message in Georgian.
From now on, Georgian citizens no longer need a visa to travel to the Schengen Zone. The regulation lifting visa requirements for Georgians entered into effect today, Tuesday, March 28.
Within a year of the Georgia-EU visa free agreement, 192,453 Georgian citizens have visited the Schengen Zone 258,663 times, the Georgian Interior Ministry reports. Deputy Interior Minister Nino Javakhadze stated that in total 1,001 Georgians were refused entry into the EU passport-free zone.
This time last year, a small Georgian delegation led by Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili left for a historic trip on which Georgians travelled visa-free for the first time to the European Union (EU).
Head of the Georgian Parliament’s EU Integration Committee Tamar Khulordava says that since March 28, 2017, when Georgians were permitted to travel visa-free to the EU’s Schengen Zone, 255,429 Georgian citizens have used the opportunity.
Georgia and Bahrain are easing visa requirements, supporting political-economic relations and boosting tourism ties, announces the Foreign Ministry of Georgia.
The European Commission has released its report on the fulfilment of visa-free obligations by Georgia, other Eastern Partnership countries and the Balkan states. The report reads that Georgia is fulfilling its obligations taken on with the EU: however, it also says that irregular migration still remains an issue of concern.
411 Georgian citizens were deported from the EU member states between August and November of 2018, the Georgian Interior Ministry reports.
The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs says that 339,255 Georgians have carried out 553,748 visits to the EU’s Schengen Zone since the enactment of the Georgia-EU visa free agreement on March 28, 2017.
French, German, Swiss and Swedish ambassadors to Georgia have announced plans to meet with Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia in the coming days to discuss ways of decreasing the number of Georgian asylum seekers in their countries.
Georgian citizens traveling to a Schengen country with which Georgia has a visa-free travel regime but who do not possess the necessary documents may be refused to cross the Georgian state border, says a new law passed today in parliament. Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Georgia Kakha Kuchava said there have been many cases when travellers crossed the border of Georgia without having a return ticket, or hotel reservation, or means of subsistence and a citizen was sent back to Georgia.
Georgia will introduce additional verification at Georgian border checkpoints for Georgian citizens travelling to Schengen countries from January 1, 2021 to make sure they fulfil the existing Schengen entry criteria.EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell visited Tbilisi International Airport earlier today to see how these checks will be implemented and what Georgian citizens can expect.
Georgian citizens will now be screened at border checkpoints while traveling to the EU or Schengen zone in addition to facing checks at their destination.